Horse Breeds: Curly Horse

Most of the Curly Horses (also called the American Bashkir Curly Horse) in existence today are descended from a group of three horses found wandering the mountain ranges of Nevada by the Damele family sometime in 1898. No one really knows how they got there, and we'll probably never know. They might have been brought to North America by the Spanish, Russians, or even the Vikings. Genetic testing has shown us that the Curly Horse is not its own unique breed. Instead, it is comprised of many other breeds including the Missouri Foxtrotter and the Morgan.

When a Curly Horse is first born, it has curly hair. Everywhere. The hair all over the body is tightly curled, as is the hair on the head, covering the legs, and even in the ears. The mane and tail are particularly curly. As the horse grows to maturity, the hair settles a bit. By two years of age, the hair lies mostly flat, though it is still curly enough to be noticed. Though many people believe Curly Horses have a running walk, this is actually not characteristic of the breed. Some horses will have a running walk. Others will not. There is great variety among these horses.

When it comes to color, almost anything goes. You can have blacks, bays, roans, palominos, and many other colors. Patterns and size also vary according to type. The most common type is the Curly Horse saddle type, so they tend to be what people are referring to when speaking of Curly Horses. As such, the standard size of 14.1 to 15.1 hands high applies specifically to the saddle type. Curly Horses are a viable option for some people who are allergic to horses as they are often hypo-allergic. This hypo-allergenic hair is also suitable for spinning and sweaters have been made for Curly Horse enthusiasts.

These curly coated horses occur in many varieties these days. You'll find ponies, gaited, sport, draft, and even miniature Curly Horses wandering the world. They are sure-footed, hardy, and nimble and can be found participating in sports such as gymkhana. They're also popular in western sports.